Statement made on 17 June 2009 by Senator Jane Cordy
Hon. Jane Cordy:
Honourable senators, a few weeks ago, I received a copy of the book Youth Speaks Up from my friend, Jack Yazer, of Sydney, Nova Scotia. I had been invited to the book launch but was unable to attend. Today, I am honoured to pay tribute to Jack Yazer, the subject of the book and the founder of Youth Speaks Up, a student empowerment program.
Honourable senators, Jack Yazer is 95 years old and is not slowing down. A recipient of both the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada, Mr. Yazer emigrated from Poland to Cape Breton in 1928 at the age of 14. Through hard work and determination, he went on to become a successful businessman, a community leader and activist in the Sydney area. He was approached many times to run for mayor of Sydney, and I would be willing to bet that he was asked by a few political parties to run for office as well, but he always declined.
After watching a TV program dealing with the adverse effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the lives of young people, Mr. Yazer, who had a grandson about to start junior high, was concerned about the young people in the Sydney area. His wife Zelda's response was: Why not do something about it? In 1996, at the age of 82, with the help of his son Brendon, and a few people in the community, Jack organized the first meeting of Youth Speaks Up.
The program was run in Sydney during the school year for students who were in Grade 6. The students met on the first Sunday of each month at the local hotel. They had a formal dinner meeting similar to many organizations they might join as adults. A guest speaker was brought in each month to give a presentation after lunch followed by an open mike session, giving the students an opportunity to ask questions or make comments.
I was fortunate to be one of the guest speakers. Each meeting was hosted by a different Sydney school to give students a chance to chair a meeting. Each student was required to raise $30 and, at the end of the year, the students decided where to donate the funds that were raised. The costs of the meetings were covered by Mr. Yazer, community donations and sponsors.
Approximately 60 students a year were selected to be part of the program. The students were asked to sign a pledge not to smoke, take drugs or consume alcohol for six years. These contracts were placed in time capsules and buried on school grounds until graduation.
By giving the students a chance to host monthly meetings, listen to guest speakers and take the pledge, the program helped the young people to develop life skills. The program gave them a chance to voice their concerns and opinions on important and diverse issues, and helped them to gain confidence when speaking. It also opened up the students to philanthropy and involvement in their communities.
Youth Speaks Up held its last meeting in June 2005. In April this year, the student empowerment program, Youth Speaks Up, launched a book to celebrate the achievements of the wonderful program and its founder, Jack Yazer. The book is comprised of testimonials from the Grade 6 students who participated in the program over the 10 years, and tells about the positive influence that the program, and especially Mr. Yazer, had on their lives.
One Grade 6 student wrote of the program, "Youth Speaks Up has given me so many wonderful memories, too many to count, I made many friends and learned a lot! It made my Grade 6 year my best yet! Thank you for being at the meetings and always smiling. Your words of encouragement and smiles were warm and friendly and it was a great to be in your presence."
Honourable senators, Jack Yazer is an outstanding Canadian.